Quick adjust support system with trapped or integral wedge

ABSTRACT

A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the support post, or a wedge member associated with the support post, when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/426,009, filed Nov. 14, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to an item-supportingstructure that can be used to support shelving or other elements forcarrying or supporting any desired item. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a support assembly for use in, for example, aknock-down shelving system, to adjustably support shelves.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Shelving systems having adjustable height shelves and so-called“knock-down” type shelving systems are known, and each has utility inmany applications. For example, a knockdown shelving system withadjustable height shelves may be used in food service, industrial,commercial, hospital, and similar fields for storage of any desireditems.

[0006] One type of known adjustable, knockdown shelving system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,111 (Maslow) and U.S. Pat. No.3,523,508 (Maslow), which are assigned to the assignee of the subjectinvention. The adjustable shelving system disclosed in these patents hasachieved great commercial success under assignee's trademark SUPERERECTA SHELF. This shelving system uses a plurality of cylindricalsupport posts provided with a series of equally spaced, annular grooveson its outer surface. A basic shelving system might include four supportposts to support one or more formed-wire shelves, with each shelf havinga frusto-conically-shaped collar at each corner for receiving a supportpost. A two-piece interlocking sleeve fits around the support post. Thesleeve features a rib on its interior surface for engaging one of thegrooves on the support post and has a frusto-conically-shaped outersurface, which is widest at the bottom, designed to complement the shapeof the shelf collars. The support posts fitted with sleeves are receivedin the collars of each shelf to assemble the shelving system. Whenassembled, the weight of the shelf creates a radially-inwardly directedforce between the collars and sleeves. This force brings the sleevesinto a locking relation with the posts and creates a wedging forcebetween the collars and sleeves.

[0007] While the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system has proven verysuccessful in providing an easy to assemble shelving system with asubstantial load-bearing capacity, adjusting the shelves can sometimesrequire the use of a hammer or other tool to disengage the shelf collarsfrom the sleeves. The weight of the shelf and any items supportedthereon, especially over time, can build up the wedging force betweenthe shelf collars and the sleeves to the point where a significantamount of force is needed to raise the shelf off of the sleeves.

[0008] A shelving system with easy to adjust shelves is provided in U.S.Pat. No. 5,415,302. This shelving system uses hanger brackets to permiteasy installation and adjustment of the shelves without requiring thedisassembly of the entire shelving system or the use of tools. Thisshelving system is known commercially under the trademark QWIKSLOTSHELF, and the patent is also assigned to the assignee of the subjectinvention. The QWIKSLOT SHELF shelving system uses support posts formedwith a plurality of elongated slots at regular vertical intervals forreceiving the hanger brackets. The slotted support post can also haveannular grooves as discussed above in the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelvingsystem. A notch in each hanger bracket receives a truncated corner of ashelf.

[0009] The hanger brackets used in the QWIKSLOT SHELF shelving systemallow for easy adjustment of the shelves. A potential drawback in someapplications, however, is that shelves secured by means of the hangerbrackets do not provide the heavy-duty load bearing capacity of othershelving systems, such as the SUPER ERECTA SHELF shelving system. Inaddition, the slots in the posts are not acceptable in some food serviceapplications.

[0010] Still another type of successful shelving system, sold andmarketed under the trademark METROMAX features a “knock-down”configuration that uses triangular support posts. Such a system is thesubject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,670, No. 4,964,350, No. 5,271,337, andNo. 5,279,231, which also are assigned to the assignee of the subjectinvention.

[0011] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,670, a corner assembly for securing eachcorner of a shelf to the triangular support post includes a wedgemember, a corner bracket structurally associated with the shelf and acollar. The wedge member snap-fits on the support post, and the collarand corner bracket form a sleeve around the support post. The formedsleeve fits against the support post and wedge member and supports theshelf by a wedging force.

[0012] The shelving systems in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,350, No. 5,271,337,and No. 5,279,231, feature modular shelves in combination with thetriangular support posts. The modular shelves include a rectangularshelf frame formed from two end beams connected to two side beams. Acenter beam may be inserted between the end beams, parallel to the sidebeams, to increase the load-bearing capacity of the system. A pluralityof plastic shelf mats are adapted to be snap-fit onto the shelf frame.The shelf frame is secured to the support post by corner assembliescomprised of a corner portion of the end beam, a wedge member and aseparate collar. A sleeve-formed by the corner portion and the collar isseated on the support post and wedge member and secured by a wedgingaction. Two lock cylinders lock the collar to the corner portion tosecure the sleeve.

[0013] While the design of the modular shelf provides many advantages,adjusting the shelf can, on occasion, require use of a hammer or othertool to disengage the formed sleeve from the wedge member for the samereasons discussed above in connection with the SUPER ERECTA SHELFshelving system.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,009 and No. 6,113,042, each of which areincorporated herein by reference and are similarly assigned to theassignee of the subject invention, feature a support system forsupporting a member on a support post. The support system of these twopatents is sold and marketed under the trademark SUPER ADJUSTABLE SUPERERECTA and the former patent also relates to a system sold under themark METROMAX-Q. These patents feature a wedge assembly having a taperedface mountable on the support post, a collar, secured to the member tobe supported, for example shelves, and a locking mechanism rotatablysupported by the collar. The locking mechanism has a first position forpress-fitting the wedge assembly against the support post, and a secondposition for allowing the collar to slide over the support post. Thewedge member has beads on an inner surface for mating with groovesprovided at least partially around the periphery of the support post.When the locking mechanism is in the first position, the beads of thewedge and the grooves mate to provide a secure fit.

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates one corner of a shelving system utilizing thesupport assembly in accordance with the METROMAX-Q system. In thisfigure, a wire shelf frame 10 is positioned on an elongated support post12 by a corner support assembly 14.

[0016] Generally speaking, the corner support assembly 14 is comprisedof a collar 16 and a locking mechanism, or flipper, 18 rotatably mountedto the collar. In this view, the flipper is shown in its unlockedposition. The corner support assembly is secured between an end outerrail 24 and a side outer rail 24′ which form part of the shelf frame 10.A tapered wedge member 20 is positioned on the post where the shelfframe is to be secured. With the flipper in the closed position, thewedge member is compressed against the support post 12, and the cornersupport assembly 14 surrounds the support post and wedge member like asleeve and is seated thereon to support the shelf frame with a wedgingforce. In addition, as the shelf is loaded, the flipper and shelf willmove downwardly relative to the wedge thereby to increase the force withwhich the wedge member engages the post.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the wire shelf frame 10 is part of a modularshelf that is formed by securing the outer rails 24 and 24′ to thecorner support assemblies 14 by conventional means such as welding. In arectangular shelf configuration, for example, two end outer rails 24 andtwo side outer rails 24′ will be secured between four corner supportassemblies to comprise the wire shelf frame. Each outer rail includes atop rail 26, a bottom rail 28 and a snake-like rail 30 secured betweenthe top and bottom rails for stability. One or more transverse rails(unshown) can be secured between parallel outer rails for additionalsupport and to increase the load-bearing capacity of the shelf.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an isolated view of the collar 16 as used in anexemplary disclosed embodiment of the METROMAX-Q system. The collar 16includes a cylindrical shaft 34, preferably non-rotatable, securedbetween two lateral sides 36 for rotatably supporting the flipper 18. Arear section of the collar 16 joining, or connecting, the two lateralsides is contoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 12. Thepost has a generally triangular cross-section. The rear side is thusshaped to have a straight portion 35 angled from each lateral side andjoined by a rounded apex 37.

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary locking mechanism, or flipper 18as used in the METROMAX-Q system. The flipper, which is preferablyintegrally formed, has an upper end 41 and lower end 43. Further, thetop end has a flat portion 47 and a rounded portion 49, with the roundedportion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 40 for receiving andcontaining the shaft 34 of the collar 16. The lower end includes a flatmanipulating portion 42 that can be grasped by the user. A rear face 44of the flipper, which extends at an angle from the flat portion 47 andcannot be seen in FIG. 3, is shaped to complement the shape of the wedgemember 20, which in this embodiment is substantially flat. The flipperis mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis of theshaft. The preferred material for the flipper is a rigid molded plasticsuch as, for example, reinforced nylon.

[0020]FIG. 4A shows an example of a wedge member 20 used in theMETROMAX-Q system. The wedge member 20 is designed to clip onto aninterior face of the support post 12. The wedge member includes a frontportion 45 flanked by two contoured lips 47 for clipping, orsnap-fitting, the wedge member onto the support post. In addition,detent means such as internal beads, or ribs, 46 are provided on theinternal surface of the wedge member and are spaced at intervalscorresponding to the spacing of grooves on the support post.

[0021] The configuration of the internal beads is designed to mate withthe configuration of the grooves in the support post. The internal beadsprovide vertical support when they are seated in the grooves of asupport post. To further secure the wedge member on the support posts,additional vertical support is provided by a wedge action provided bythe flipper in the locked position. The wedge member 20 may be clippedon to the support posts at any incremental height, and further may betranslated up and down to any other incremental height.

[0022] In the example from the METROMAX-Q system illustrated in FIG. 4A,a cut-out 48 can be provided in the front portion 45 to view optionalheight increment numbers on the support post for vertically aligning thewedge member with wedge members on other support posts.

[0023] The outer surface of the front portion is substantially flat tocorrespond to the substantially flat rear face 44 of the flipper.Although not readily recognizable in FIG. 4A, the front portion is alsoslightly tapered from its upper end to its lower end, such that thelower end is wider and extends toward an interior of the shelvingsystem.

[0024] With the tapered shape of the wedge member, an inwardly directedforce is created by the weight of the shelf assembly to provide awedging action between the corner support assembly and the wedge member,acting as in inclined plane.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4B, the support post 12 has a generally rightequilateral triangular cross-section, which can also be described as atriangular cross-section. A right-angled apex 50 and two flat exteriorsides 52 face the exterior of the shelving system, and interior angledapexes 54 and an interior side 56 of the support post face the interiorof the shelving assembly. The triangular geometry of the support postprovides multi-directional stability, particularly in the directions ofcritical stress forces, i.e., in a direction parallel to the edges ofthe shelf.

[0026] The support post includes a plurality of horizontal grooves 58that are preferably, but not necessarily, evenly spaced in thelongitudinal direction of the post. The grooves receive the internalbeads 46 of the sleeve.

[0027] Although unshown in the drawings, the top end of each supportpost 12 can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster,a vertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc. As one example, thebottom end of the support post can be fitted with a stem receptacle forthreadably receiving a leveling leg.

[0028] The METROMAX-Q system has been very successful and has providedusers with an extremely easy to use yet sturdy adjustable mechanism formember support, in particular supports for heavy duty shelvingrequirements. This system can be improved so as to be even moreconvenient if a system can be devised in which the securing wedgingaction can be provided without using a separate wedge that may comeloose from the other components of the corner support assembly. Thus, itwould be advantageous if a support mechanism can be provided that hasthe advantages of the METROMAX-Q system mentioned above, while at thesame time having the wedge, or structure that performs the wedgingfunction of the wedge's inclined plane structure, inseparable or lessreadily separable from the other components of the corner supportassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0029] For purposes of explanation, the present invention will bedescribed with reference to a shelving system. However, in its broadestaspect, this invention relates to a support assembly capable of use inmany types of support systems. The support system can support shelves,as described below in greater detail, and other elements for carrying awide variety of items. For example, the support system can supportcombinations of shelving, drawers, work surfaces, racks, bins, hooks andthe like.

[0030] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a shelf support assembly for use in an easy to assemble and easyto adjust heavy-duty shelving system.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelfsupport assembly that can be quickly and easily adjusted.

[0032] It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelfsupport assembly that is statically secured to the shelving system toprovide substantial load-bearing capacity.

[0033] Still another object of the invention is to provide a shelfsupport assembly that is readily adaptable to various types of supportposts.

[0034] Another object of the invention is to provide a support assemblythat ensures a secure fit to a support post without the need for wedgesthat my come loose during adjustment, assembly or disassembly.

[0035] In accordance with one aspect of the present invitation, there isprovided a support system, comprising a support post having a taperedface; and support means for adjustably supporting a member to thesupport post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movablebetween a first position for press-fitting the support means against thetapered face of the support post and a second position for releasing thepress-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts thetapered face of the support post when in the first position thereby toeffect the press-fitting and that is released from the tapered face ofthe support post when moved to the second position to release thepress-fitting.

[0036] Also in accordance with the above aspect, there is provided asystem for supporting a member. The system comprises a support posthaving a longitudinal axis and a tapered face; and support means adaptedto be secured to the member, for supporting the member to the supportpost. The support means forms a sleeve around the support post andseated on the support post on the tapered face thereof. The supportmeans includes a locking mechanism that is actuatable between a firstposition compressing the tapered face and supporting the member and asecond position not compressing the tapered face.

[0037] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a supportsystem comprises a support post, a wedge assembly having a taperedportion, mounted on the support post, and support means for adjustablysupporting a member to the support post. Also provided is securing meansfor securing the wedge member and the support means to one another.

[0038] The support means can include a locking mechanism having a firstposition for press-fitting against the wedge assembly and a secondposition for releasing the press-fitting.

[0039] In accordance with the second aspect, there is provided a supportsystem, comprising a support post; a wedge member, having a taperedportion, located on the support post, the wedge member having a securingportion; and support means for adjustably supporting a supported memberto the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanismmovable between a first position for press-fitting the wedge memberagainst the support post and a second position for releasing thepress-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the wedgemember when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fittingand that is released from the wedge member when moved to the secondposition to release the press-fitting. The locking mechanism cooperateswith the securing portion of the wedge member so that the wedge memberand the support means remain engaged with one another even when thesupport means is in the second position.

[0040] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a system forsupporting a member comprises a support post, a collar secured to themember to be supported, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanismhas a first surface for abutting the support post in a first, unlockedposition, and a second surface for, in a second unlocked position,press-fitting against the support post.

[0041] The locking mechanism may be mounted to the collar, and may beactuatable between a first position compressing the support post and asecond position not compressing the support post.

[0042] In accordance with the third aspect, there is provided a supportsystem, comprising a support post; and support means for adjustablysupporting a member to the support post. The support means includes alocking mechanism, which includes an integrally formed wedging member.The locking mechanism is movable between a first position forpress-fitting the wedging member against the support post and a secondposition for releasing the press-fitting. The wedging member has asurface that abuts the support post when in the first position therebyto effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support postwhen moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.

[0043] These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a shelving system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Qsystem;

[0045]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collar in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

[0046]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flipper in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

[0047]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a wedge member in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the prior art METROMAX-Q system;

[0048]FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 1 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the METROMAX-Q system;

[0049]FIG. 5A a partial perspective view of the support post/supportassembly in accordance with a first embodiment of a first aspect of thepresent invention;

[0050]FIG. 5B is perspective view of the collar shown in FIG. 5A inaccordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention;

[0051]FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the flipper shown in FIG. 5A inaccordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention;

[0052]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the support post in accordancewith the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

[0053]FIG. 6B is top plan view of the support post shown in FIG. 6A inaccordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention;

[0054]FIG. 7A is a partial side elevational view, partially incross-section, of the support post and corner assembly in accordancewith the first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 7B is a partial top plan view of the support post and cornerassembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the first aspect ofthe present invention;

[0056]FIGS. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and top plan view,respectively, of a support post in accordance with a second embodimentof the first aspect of the present invention;

[0057]FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a support post/supportassembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the first aspect ofthe present invention;

[0058]FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a support post/supportassembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the first aspect ofthe present invention with a sleeve;

[0059] FIGS. 11A-1 and 11A-2 are perspective and plan views,respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of thepresent invention, as manufactured by the hydro-forming process;

[0060] FIGS. 11B-1 and 11B-2 are perspective and plan views,respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of thepresent invention, as manufactured by the pultrusion process;

[0061] FIGS. 11C-1 and 11C-2 are perspective and plan views,respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of thepresent invention having a D-shaped cross-section, as manufactured bythe hydro-forming process;

[0062] FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2 are perspective and plan views,respectively, of a support post according to a variation of the firstaspect of the present invention, as manufactured by the rolled-formprocess;

[0063] FIGS. 11E-1 and 11E-2 are perspective and plan views,respectively, of a support post according to the variation of the firstaspect of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2, asmanufactured by the hydro-forming process;

[0064]FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are perspective views of a collar, wedgemember and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a first embodimentof a second aspect of the present invention;

[0065]FIGS. 13A and 13B are partial perspective views of the supportassembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the second aspect ofthe present invention in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively;

[0066]FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are perspective views of a collar, wedgemember, and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a secondembodiment of the second aspect of the present invention;

[0067]FIGS. 15A and 15B are partial perspective views of the supportassembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the second aspectof the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively;

[0068]FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C are perspective views of a collar, wedgemember, and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a third embodimentof the second aspect of the present invention;

[0069]FIGS. 17A and 17B are partial perspective views of the supportassembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the second aspect ofthe present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively;

[0070]FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C are perspective views of a collar, wedgemember and flipper in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the secondaspect of the present invention;

[0071]FIGS. 19A and 19B are partial perspective views of the supportassembly in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the second aspectof the present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively;

[0072]FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are perspective views of a collar, wedgemember, and flipper, respectively, in accordance with a fifth embodimentof the second aspect of the present invention;

[0073]FIGS. 21A and 21B are partial perspective views of the supportassembly in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the second aspect ofthe second aspect of the present invention, in the unlocked and lockedpositions, respectively;

[0074]FIGS. 22A and 22B are perspective views of a collar and flipper,respectively, in accordance with a first embodiment of a third aspect ofthe present invention;

[0075]FIGS. 23A and 23B are partial perspective views of a supportassembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the third aspect ofthe present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively;

[0076]FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C are perspective views of a collar, flipperand support pin, respectively, in accordance with the second embodimentof the third aspect of the present invention;

[0077]FIGS. 25A and 25B are partial perspective views of a supportassembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the third aspect ofthe present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively;

[0078]FIGS. 26A and 26B are perspective views of a collar and flipper,respectively, in accordance with a third embodiment of the third aspectof the present invention; and

[0079]FIG. 27A and 27B are partial perspective views of a supportassembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the third aspect ofthe present invention, in the unlocked and locked positions,respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0080] The support assembly of the present invention can ideally beincorporated into a knock-down shelving system that includes a pluralityof support posts for supporting one or more shelves at corner supportassemblies thereof. The shelving system may include a structure toprovide an inclined plane surface for use, in combination with a cornersupport structure, to provide a wedging force to support the shelves inrelation to the support posts. The inclined plane structure can beprovided by means of inclined plane structures formed integrally withthe support post and to which the corner assembly engages to effect apress fit, a snap-on wedge member with detent means for adjustablylocating the wedge member at predetermined heights on the support postand having securing means for trapping the wedge member within a cornersupport assembly, or an inclined plane structure integrally formedwithin the structure of the corner support assembly itself.

[0081] In accordance with the present invention, each corner supportassembly features a collar, which is structurally associated with theshelf, and a locking mechanism, or flipper, rotatably supported by thecollar and actuatable between a locked position and an unlockedposition. In the unlocked position, the corner support assemblies allowthe shelf to translate relative to the support posts.

[0082] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, whenthe flippers are locked, the collars are secured to each respectivepost, by a wedging action, against inclined plane portions of thesupport post. In accordance with the first aspect, the post is formedwith a sawtooth or other appropriate profile to provide the inclinedplane, or tapered, portions of the post. In each corner supportassembly, the flipper and collar, in the locked position, are securedtightly against an inclined portion of the post, obviating the need fora discrete wedge member.

[0083] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, eachcorner support assembly includes a collar, flipper and wedge member.When the flippers are locked, the collars are secured against the wedgemembers and the support posts by a wedging action, the wedge member andcollar of each corner support assembly being structured such that thewedge member is captured within the corner support assembly.

[0084] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, theflipper, or flipper in combination with the collar, are structured so asto perform the inclined plane function and provide a securing wedgingaction against the post, in the locked position.

[0085] Operation of the flipper in any of the above aspects thus permitseasy height adjustment of the shelf without the need for tools, and alsowithout compromising the load bearing capacity of the shelving system.In particular, such operation may be achieved without confronting theproblem of loose wedge members.

[0086] Throughout, like reference numerals will be used to describe likestructures. Moreover, the corner collars generally will be illustratedwithout showing the members to be supported, e.g., shelving braces, thatwill typically extend therefrom. In a shelving system, for example, suchstructure will be similar to the top rail 26, bottom rail 28 andsnake-like rail 30 shown in prior art FIG. 1. When shown in otherdrawings, these reference numerals will be maintained.

[0087] For purposes of explanation only, and to illustrate in part howthe present invention may be adapted easily to conventional shelvingtechnology, the support assembly of the present invention will bedescribed below in use with a knock-down shelving system. The shelvingsystem generally includes a plurality of support posts, e.g., four,arranged to support one or more shelves at corner assemblies thereof. Ofcourse, the support assembly of the present invention can be used invarious types of support systems, e.g., cabinets, closets, etc., with ashelving system being only one example thereof. Moreover, the supportassembly can be used in conjunction with many shelf embodiments and isnot limited to use with a corner of a shelf or, for that matter, acorner of any supported member. In the examples given below, the supportassembly is structurally associated with a wire shelf frame designed tobe fitted with plastic shelf mats. However, the support assembly of thepresent invention will be readily adaptable to many other shelfembodiments including, but not limited to, a wire shelf or a solid sheetmetal shelf.

[0088] The present invention generally relates to an improved supportsystem that builds on the advantageous structures introduced by theMETROMAX-Q system described above in relation to FIGS. 1-4. As discussedabove, in the METROMAX-Q system, a wedge member is used that provides aninclined plane surface to provide a tight rigid joint between the postand the support assembly, including the collar and the flipper. However,the wedge member may become separated during adjustment,assembly/disassembly or shipping. In accordance with the presentinvention, to avoid having loose wedges, the inclined plane surface isadvantageously integrally formed in one of the post, flipper or collar,or it is attached thereto, i.e., captured, so that it does not becomeloose. In the first aspect, illustrated in FIGS. 5-11, the support postitself is formed so as to have integrally formed tapered portionsextending therefrom, which themselves provide the function of theinclined plane, that is, the function performed by the wedge member inthe METROMAX-Q system. In accordance with the second aspect, illustratedin FIGS. 12-21, a wedge member is used to provide the function of theinclined plane, but unlike in the METROMAX-Q system, the wedge member isformed so as to be captured, in various ways described and illustratedin detail below, within the structure of the collar and/or flipper. Inaccordance with the third aspect, illustrated in FIGS. 22-27, theflipper and/or collar is provided with structure that performs theinclined plane function of the wedge, obviating the need for a distinctwedge member.

[0089] In the various embodiments of the present invention describedbelow, the locking mechanism, or flipper, will be shown variously ashaving a rounded lower portion or an elongated lower portion forming ahandle. Such depictions are for illustrative purposes only. As will beunderstood, the lower portion of the locking mechanism, or flipper, maybe in any embodiment rounded, flat, or elongated, without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

[0090]FIGS. 5A and 5B show a support means or assembly in accordancewith a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. Inaccordance with this embodiment, support post 112, which may be formedin a number of cross-sectional shapes, materials and manufacturingmethods, to be discussed below in detail, is shaped so as to have asawtooth profile, with tapered protruding faces 120. The tapered faces120 are tapered outwardly from the post from top to bottom to formplural inclined planes. An exemplary vertical support post 112 inaccordance with the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Asbest seen in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment the support post 112 has agenerally triangular cross-section. Of course, due to the taperedprofile of the support post, cross-sections would differ in sizedepending upon where on the taper the cross-section is taken. For alltapered post cross-sections, the sections will be assumed to be taken atthe largest portion of the tapered portions, although the figures arenot to scale. As can be seen in FIG. 6B, straight portions 222 anglefrom lateral sides 224, the straight portions 222 joined by a roundedapex 225, all of which face the exterior of the shelving system. A frontface 120, at right angles in cross-section to each lateral side 224,faces the interior of the shelving.

[0091] Although unshown in the drawings, the top end of each supportpost 112 can be fitted with an end cap and the bottom end with a caster,a vertically-adjustable foot, an end cap, etc. As one example, thebottom end of the support post can be fitted with a stem receptacle forthreadably receiving a leveling leg. This applies to all embodiments andall aspects of the present invention.

[0092] As can be clearly seen in FIG. 6A the support post 112 has asawtooth profile and includes, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality ofinclined plane tapered faces 120. The tapered faces 120 preferably, butnot necessarily, are spaced evenly vertically along the post. Eachtapered face 120 comprises an outwardly tapered longer face 128, and aninwardly tapered shorter face 129.

[0093] In this regard, as is best shown in FIG. 5A, in this embodimentthe collar 116 and locking mechanism, or flipper 118 together form asleeve or corner support assembly 114 that fits over the support post.The flipper 118 preferably is of a construction substantially similar tothe flipper of the METROMAX-Q system described in detail above. As inthat system, the flipper 118 is mounted on the collar 116 to rotateabout a longitudinal axis of the shaft 134. The flipper is movablebetween an unlocked position and a locked position. When the flipper isin the locked, or first, position, the rear face of the flipper directsan inward radial compression force against the inclined plane taperedface 120 to effect a press-fitting of the support assembly 114 againstthe tapered face 120. In addition, the tapered shape of the tapered face120 creates an inwardly directed force by the weight of the shelfassembly to provide a wedging action between the corner support assemblyand the tapered face 120. Movement of the flipper to the unlocked, orsecond, position releases the press-fitting.

[0094] As was discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, and asshown in detail in FIG. 5B, the collar 116 includes a securing meanscomprising a cylindrical shaft 134, preferably non-rotatable, securedbetween two lateral sides 136 for rotatably supporting the flipper 118.In accordance with all aspects the present invention, a rear section ofthe collar 116 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides iscontoured to fit the outward-facing shape of the post 112. In thepresent embodiment, the post has a generally triangular cross-section asdiscussed in detail above. The rear side of the collar 116 is thusshaped to have a straight portion 135 angled from each lateral side andjoined by a rounded apex 137. As will be developed below, however, itwill be appreciated that the rear side of the collar can easily beshaped to have any configuration, such as D-shaped, to match the shapeof the support post.

[0095]FIG. 5C illustrates the flipper 118 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the subject invention. The flipper, which is preferablyintegrally formed, has an upper end 141 and lower end 143. Further, thetop end has a flat portion 147 and a rounded portion 149, with therounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 140 forreceiving and containing the shaft 134 of the collar 116. In addition, apreferably flat transition portion 148 exists between the flat androunded portions 147 and 149, respectively. The primary difference ofthe flipper in this embodiment from that shown in FIG. 3 is that itsbottom end 143 is rounded instead of flat. That is, the lower end 143includes a preferably rounded manipulating portion 142 for grasping bythe user. A rear face 144 of the flipper, which extends at an angle fromthe flat portion 147, and which cannot be seen in FIG. 5C, is shaped tocomplement the shape of the tapered portion 120, which in thisembodiment is substantially flat in the horizontal direction. Theflipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about a longitudinal axis ofthe shaft. The preferred material for the flipper is a rigid moldedplastic such as, for example, reinforced nylon.

[0096] By virtue of the taper of inclined plane portions of the posts,the weight of the shelf assembly creates an inwardly directed force toprovide a wedging action between the corner support assembly and thesupport post.

[0097]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate how the collar support assembly 114 issecured to the support post 112. For the sake of simplicity, the outerrails 24 and 24′ have been deleted in FIG. 7A but are shown to besecured to the lateral sides 136 of the collar 116 in FIG. 7B. Inoperation, the corner support assembly 114 is positioned over a selectedtapered face 120 of the support post. In this regard, the collar 116 andflipper 118 together form a sleeve that fits over the tapered face ofthe support post. When the flipper 118 is in the closed, or locked,position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7A, the rear face 144 of theflipper directs an inward radial compression force against the taperedface 120. In addition, the tapered shape of the tapered face 120 createsa wedge action between that face and the flipper for supporting theshelf assembly. It will be appreciated that the greater the weight onthe shelf, the greater the downward force and thus the greater thewedging force.

[0098]FIG. 7A will also be referred to in discussing two salientfeatures of the present invention. The first feature relates to theability of the flipper to easily and quickly release the wedging actionbetween the corner support assembly and the tapered face 120. This freesthe shelf to slide up or down the support posts. To release the wedgingaction, the closed flipper 118 is rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection of arrow a to its unlocked position as represented by thedashed lines. By pivoting the flipper about the shaft 134 in thismanner, the compression force between the flipper 118 and the taperedface is released. Actuation of the flipper by the user thus allows forquick and reliable releasing of the wedging action.

[0099] Another salient feature of the invention is directed to theability of the flipper to allow the corner support assembly to slideover the support post having the tapered faces 120. At rest, the flipper118 normally hangs, by gravity, in substantially the same position shownin solid lines in FIG. 7A, i.e., with the lower end 143 directeddownwardly. Now, with the flipper in this position and the cornersupport assembly disposed below a tapered face of the support post, whenthe shelf is raised toward the tapered face, the lower (and wider) endof the tapered face will initially contact the flat portion 147 of theupper end of the flipper, causing it to rotate counter-clockwise aboutthe shaft 134 in the direction of arrow a. This action raises theflipper toward its unlocked position, whereby the rounded portion 149 ofthe upper end is substantially opposite the tapered face 120. As theflipper is biased toward its unlocked position, the contour of the upperend allows the flipper to pass completely over the tapered face.

[0100] The above-described embodiment in which the inclined plane informed integrally with the support post is not limited to the specificexample shown in the figures. Support posts of varying configurationsmay be used, with corresponding changes in the shape of the collarand/or flipper.

[0101] For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a second embodiment ofthe first aspect of the present invention in which a support post 112 ahas a D-shaped cross-section. As best seen in FIG. 8B, in thisembodiment, the support post 112 a has a generally D-shapedcross-section. Arcuate cross-sectional portion 226 extends rearwardlyfrom lateral sides 224, all of which face the exterior of the shelvingsystem. A front face 120, at right angles to each lateral side 224,faces the interior of the shelving.

[0102] A corner support assembly suitable for use with the support posthaving the D-shaped cross-section is illustrated in FIG. 9. As in thecase of the triangular cross-section support post, the collar 116includes a cylindrical shaft 134, preferably non-rotatable, securedbetween two lateral sides 136 for rotatably supporting the flipper 118a. In accordance with the present invention, a rear section of thecollar 116 joining, or connecting, the two lateral sides is contoured tofit the outward-facing shape of the post 112 a. In this embodiment, thepost has a generally D-shaped cross-section. The rear side of the collar116 is thus shaped to have a rounded apex angled from each lateral sideso that the collar secures tightly against the arcuate outer portion ofthe post 112 a.

[0103] The flipper 118 a functions in exactly the same way as flipper118 discussed above except that flipper 118 a is shown having a extendedhandle 320, which allows a user to grasp the flipper more easily, andrequires less pull force to open. In all other primary aspects, theflipper 118 a has the same shapes and characteristics as disclosed inthe previous embodiment and is rotatably secured about the cylindricalshaft 134 on the collar 116. Thus, it will be appreciated that theflipper having the extended handle may be used in the corner supportassembly discussed previously, and the flipper discussed in thosefigures may be used in the corner assembly for the support post havingthe D-shaped cross-section, without departing from the inventiveconcept.

[0104] On some shelving systems, the support posts and/or collars may bemade of chrome-plated steel. Such chrome plating tends to have arelatively high coefficient of friction such that when the flipper isreleased from the locked position, it may be difficult to move the shelfto a new desired position. Therefore, the corner support assembly of thepresent invention may be provided with an optional fitting sleeve 321,that fits on the outer portion of the post between the corner supportassembly and the post. FIG. 10 shows the corner assembly of FIG. 9 witha sleeve 321 placed between the collar and the support post. The fittingsleeve 321 has a curved portion 331, an upper lip 332 and a lower lip332 a. The upper land lower lips secure the sleeve in the collar,preventing it from translating vertically with respect to the collar.The sleeve is preferably made of a resin material having a relativelylow coefficient of friction that may more easily be slid on the postwhen the flipper is released to ease adjustment of the location of theshelf. In all other ways, the corner assembly of FIG. 10 is identical tothat shown in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that a fitting sleeve canbe used to make adjustment of shelf location easier in any embodiment ofany aspect of the present invention, and will function exactly asdescribed above.

[0105] Support posts in accordance with the first aspect can be of avariety of cross-sections and can be manufactured by a variety ofdifferent methods. The posts are preferably made of steel, otherappropriate metal, or composites such as those formed by the pultrusionprocess for support posts. In the illustrated embodiments above, thedrawings are consistent with a manufacturing method using the well-knownroll-form technique, in which posts are formed by rolling the metal intoa generally tube-shaped configuration and welding the edges together.

[0106] The support posts in accordance with the first aspect of thepresent invention also may be manufactured by other methods. FIG. 11A-1illustrates a support post in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe first aspect of the present invention made by the well-knownhydro-forminging manufacturing method is similar to blow molding inwhich the material from which the post is formed is expanded outwardlyunder pressure into the contour of a mold cavity in the shape of thefinal post. In all other respects, such a support post would work asdescribed above. FIG. 11A-2 is a top plan view of such a hydro-formedsupport post.

[0107] As in the other embodiments of the first aspect, a fitting sleevemay be used to reduce friction between the collar and post when thelocation of a shelf is to be adjusted. The sleeve for any of theseembodiments will be substantially the same as the fitting sleeve shownin FIG. 10.

[0108] In addition to the above two techniques for making the supportpost in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, thepost also can be formed by use of a pultrusion process. In thepultrusion process, a set of fibers are pulled through a resin bath andthen through a heated die giving the profile its shape. After the diethe profile is cooled by air or water and cut into desired lengths. Anexemplary support post in accordance with the first aspect andmanufactured using the pultrusion die process is shown in FIG. 11B-1.FIG. 11B-2 is a plan view of such a support post. The post is pultrudedand then the tapered portions are cut into the post. In all otherrespects, this post would function the same as the other posts discussedabove with reference to the first aspect of the present invention. Also,as in the other embodiments, a sleeve may be used to reduce frictionbetween the collar and post to facilitate shelf adjustment.

[0109] FIGS. 11C-1 and 11C-2 are perspective and plan views,respectively, of a support post according to the first aspect of thepresent invention formed by the hydro-forming process. In allsignificant respects, such a post operates exactly like the post shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B. As in the other embodiments, a sleeve may be used toreduce the friction between the collar and post to aid shelf adjustment.

[0110] A variation of the support post in accordance with the firstaspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11D-1 and 11D-2. Asshown in FIG. 11D-1, in this variation, instead of the tapered facesbeing flat in the horizontal direction, as in the previously describedembodiments, each tapered face has a lower tapered portion 1249, and acentral, vertically-oriented raised upper tapered portion 1250. Byvirtue of the shape of the post, a locking mechanism having a flat rearface, such as those described above, would only abut and compress thesurface of the raised upper portion 1250. Moreover, it is preferred toutilize a flipper having an indent to correspond to the raised uppertapered portion to insure contact across the width of the post. As seenin FIG. 11D-2, it is preferable in this variation to use a collar sleeve1260 to reduce friction with respect to the collar (not shown) duringshelf adjustment. This variation has an advantage in that is can be usedwith other shelf support systems, such as the SUPER ERECTA SHELF withonly a retrofit sleeve.

[0111] FIGS. 11E-1 AND 11E-2 are perspective and plan views respectivelyof the variation illustrated in FIGS. 11D-1 AND 11D-2, respectively,except formed by the hydro-forming manufacturing process. In all otherrespects, the post would function the same way as the variationillustrated in FIGS. 11D-1 AND 11D-2.

[0112] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, theinclined plane is provided by means of a distinct wedge member that issecured by a collar and flipper that provides, in the locked position, acompression force to force the wedge member against an interior face ofthe support post. In the second aspect, and in each disclosed embodimentthereof, the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about alongitudinal axis of a shaft formed in the collar. The flipper ismovable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When theflipper is in the locked position, the rear face of the flipper directsan inward radial compression force against the wedge member. The wedgemember is tapered to be thicker at the lower end thereof. This taperedshape creates an inwardly directed force by the weight of the shelfassembly to provide a wedging action between the corner support assemblyand the wedge member.

[0113] The wedge member in accordance with the second aspect and theembodiments thereof advantageously includes structure forming a securingportion that ensures that the wedge member is trapped within the cornersupport assembly and will not slip out of the corner support assemblywhen the corner support assembly is in an unlocked position, for exampleduring adjustment, assembly or disassembly of shelves using the cornersupport assembly.

[0114]FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate a collar, wedge member, andflipper in accordance with a first embodiment of the second aspect ofthe present invention. FIG. 12B illustrates a wedge member 200 designedto clip onto an interior face of the support post 128. The wedge memberincludes a front portion 145 flanked by two contoured lips 147. Inaddition, although not visible in this view, detent means such asinternal beads, or ribs, are provided on the internal surface of thewedge member and are spaced at intervals corresponding to spacing ofgrooves on the support post 128 just as in the wedge member of theMETROMAX-Q system, shown in FIG. 4. In the first embodiment of thesecond aspect, the support post 128 is of the same or substantiallysimilar structure to that of the METROMAX-Q system, having asubstantially flat inner surface with horizontal grooves spaced apartvertically, as is visible in FIG. 1. FIG. 12C illustrates a flipper inaccordance with this embodiment. As in the first aspect, the flipper hasan upper end and a lower end. The upper end has a flat portion androunded portion, with the rounded portion defining part of an opencylindrical cavity for receiving the shaft 134 of the collar.

[0115] In the first embodiment in accordance with the second aspect,internal beads, not visible in the figure, are provided on the wedgemember 200 to mate with the configuration of the grooves in the supportpost. As in the METROMAX-Q system, the number, size and shape of theinternal beads may be varied for a number of reasons including, forexample, the size of the wedge member, the size of the spacing of thegrooves in the support posts, and the shelving application. The internalbeads provide vertical support when they are seated in the grooves of asupport post. To further secure the wedge member on the support posts,additional vertical support is provided by a wedge action as discussedbelow. It will therefore be appreciated that the wedge member 200 may belocated on to the support posts at any incremented height, and furthermay be translated up and down to any other incremented height.

[0116] An advantageous feature of the wedge member 200 in accordancewith this embodiment is the presence of two molded in studs 148, one ateach lateral side of the wedge. Alternatively, instead of being moldedin, the studs can be made of a material different from the wedge member,such as metal, installed securely in the wedge member in any knownmanner. As shown in FIG. 12A, the collar in the first embodiment of thesecond aspect is substantially the same as in the first aspect of thepresent invention, except for the presence of collar channels 320 oneach lateral face of the collar. When the corner support is assembled,the studs 148 are positioned within the collar channels 320 allowing thewedge member 200 to move vertically with respect to the collar, butconstrained by the presence of the studs within the channels.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 13A, in the unlocked position, the flipper israised and the studs are positioned securely within the channels 320.When the flipper is lowered to the locked position applying a radialcompression force to the wedge member, as shown in FIG. 13B, the collarmay move vertically somewhat relative to the wedge member and/or postduring the locking process, but such relative movement is constrained bythe capture of the studs in the channels. The capture of the wedgemember as described above advantageously prevents the wedge, member fromcoming loose of the overall corner support assembly.

[0118]FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate a collar, wedge member andflipper, respectively, for a corner support system in accordance with asecond embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. In thisembodiment, as best shown in FIG. 14B, a wedge member 400 is providedthat has a molded in spring 423 and guide slots 430. The wedge member400 has a front portion 420 flanked by two contoured lips 422. The topof the wedge member includes an overhanging support lip 424.

[0119] As can be seen in FIG. 14A, in this embodiment, the collar hasshaft 134 that functions as in the other embodiments to allow the opencylindrical cavity of the flipper 118 to rotate thereabout. In thepresent embodiment, the collar has an additional wedge support pin 134a. Upon assembly of the corner support assembly in accordance with thisembodiment, the overhanging support lip 424 of the wedge member 400 ispositioned so as to overhang the wedge support pin 134 a. The lip 424also has an inwardly projecting detent 425 for capturing the pin 134A.

[0120] Guide slots 430 are provided on the wedge member 400 to mate withguide portions 480 on the flipper 118, best shown in FIG. 14C. As can beseen in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the flipper is moved from the unlockedto the locked position, the flipper guide portions 480 move radiallywithin to engage the corresponding guide slots 430, and the front faceof the flipper exerts a radial compression force against the molded inspring 423 and the wedge member in general. As in the other embodiments,the wedge member is tapered to provide an inwardly directed wedgingforce when the weight of the shelves is applied thereto.

[0121]FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C illustrate a collar, wedge member, andflipper in accordance with a third embodiment of the second aspect. Ascan be seen in FIG. 16B, the wedge member 500 is provided with molded instuds 524 at the top and bottom of lateral sides thereof. Alternatively,the studs may comprise other materials, such as metal studs, screws orrivets, embedded securely within the lateral sides of the wedge member.The wedge member in accordance with this embodiment is designed to workwith the standard METROMAX-Q collar and flipper, shown in FIGS. 16A and16C, respectively, which will not be described further. However, thestuds 524 provide the wedge member 500 in accordance with the presentembodiment an advantage over the prior art wedge member in that theyallow the wedge member to follow the collar during, for example, heightadjustment of shelves, because the wedge is trapped within the supportassembly by the positioning of studs above and below the collar. Thispositioning prevents the wedge from slipping out of the corner supportassembly during vertical adjustment of the support assembly. As can beseen in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the studs in use are positioned so as to restabove and below the collar to prevent the wedge from slipping above orbelow the level of the collar, especially in the unlocked position inwhich the wedge member may become loose. In all other ways, the wedgemember, collar and flipper in this modification operate substantially asin the METROMAX-Q system discussed above.

[0122]FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C illustrate a collar, wedge member, andflipper in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the second aspect. Asshown in FIG. 18B, the wedge member 600 in accordance with thisembodiment is generally of the same shape as the wedge member shown inFIG. 16B, except that it has molded in leaf springs 624 on lateral sidesthereof, and a camming structure 630 protruding from the front face ofthe wedge member. As shown in FIG. 18A, the collar in this embodiment isprovided with spring receiving slots 625 having a width narrower thanthat of the corresponding leaf springs 624 on the wedge member.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 18C, the flipper is substantially the same as inprevious embodiments except for the presence of two molded in fingers632 at the center of a top edge of the flipper. The fingers 632 areconfigured to face one another with a gap therebetween sufficientlylarge to be accommodated by and move reciprocatingly within innerchannel portions 631 of the camming structure 630, upon assembly of thecorner support. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, in the assembled cornersupport in accordance with this embodiment, the lateral leaf springs 624are seated in the spring receiving slots 625 and being seated thereinfunction generally to keep the wedge connected to the collar. The leafsprings 624 are under tension only when the flipper is in the unlockedposition. As seen in FIG. 19A, in such position, the leaf springs exerta force against the inner edge of each spring receiving slot 625 inreaction to a force exerted by the flipper tending to pull the wedgemember 600 away from the post. The flipper pulls the wedge member 600away from the face of the support post when the flipper is in theunlocked position because the movement of the flipper to the unlockedposition causes the fingers 632 to move downwardly, toward the shallowerlower ends of the inner channel portions 631 of the camming structure630. Because the lower ends of the channels are shallower, the downwardmovement of the fingers in the channels creates a force that tends topry the wedge member 600 away from the support post. However, thismotion also places the leaf springs under tension, in which they exert aforce to oppose that created by the prying of the flipper.

[0124] The spring receiving slots 625 of the collar are narrower thanthe leaf springs 624. When the flipper is moved to the locked position,a radial compression force is applied to the wedge member 600 thatcauses the front face of the wedge member 600 to press securely againstthe inner face of the support post, and the leaf springs are no longerin tension. In addition to biasing the wedge towards the support post, aclicking sound is produced as the beads pass over the grooves, allowingthe user to know that a bead is properly aligned with a groove.

[0125]FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C illustrate a collar, wedge member, andflipper in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the second aspect ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 20B, a wedge member 700 hasmolded in springs 705 on lateral sides of the wedge member. The collar702, shown in FIG. 20A, has embossed channels 704 on lateral sidesthereof to receive and slidably engage the springs 705 when the cornersupport is assembled, but is in other respects similar to the METROMAX-Qcollar. The wedge member 700 also has grooves 710 adapted to acceptcorresponding molded portions 730 formed in the top of the flipper 718,as best seen in FIG. 20C. The flipper 718 has a handle and an upper end.The upper end has a flat portion 719 and a rounded portion 719 a, withthe rounded portion defining part of an open cylindrical cavity 721 forreceiving and containing the shaft 134 of the collar 702.

[0126] As can be seen in FIGS. 21A and 21B, in the assembled cornersupport, the flipper is mounted on the collar to rotate about alongitudinal axis of the shaft. When the flipper 718 moves from theunlocked to the locked position, the molded portions 720 of the flipperrotate within the grooves 700 and the flipper exerts aninwardly-directed compression force to press the wedge member securelyagainst the support post, while at the same time placing the springsunder tension. As can be seen in the figures, moving the flipper to thelocking position also may cause the wedge member to move upwardly, butthe movement is constrained by the presence of the ends of the capturedsprings within the channels. The presence of the ends of the springswithin the channels also tends urge the main body of the wedge member700 away from the support post when the flipper is in the unlockedposition, the tension of the springs being at least partially relievedwhen the compression force exerted by the flipper is removed.

[0127] The present invention in accordance with a third aspect includesthe inclined plane functionality in a system using support posts of thetype used in the METROMAX-Q system, but without the need for a distinctwedge member. This is accomplished by forming the inclined planestructure in the flipper or in the collar.

[0128] According to a first embodiment of the third aspect of thepresent invention, the wedge member is integrally formed into thestructure of the flipper. FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate a collar 800 andflipper 801, respectively, in accordance with this embodiment. As bestseen in FIG. 22A, the collar 800 has bumps 820 formed in lateral sidesthereof, but is otherwise similar to the METROMAX-Q collar describedabove, having a cylindrical shaft 134 extending between lateral sides ofthe collar. The bumps 820 function to mate with corresponding recesses,or detents, on the flipper 801. As seen in FIG. 22B, the flipper 801 hasa front face 813 that conforms to the shape of the inner face of thesupport post. The flipper 801 also has an overhanging lip 812 havingears 840 protruding therefrom. The ears have recesses 840 a moldedtherein. A channel 815 is defined by the inner side of the lip 812 andan inner wedging surface 816. The inner wedging surface 816 is taperedpreferably at an angle about a four degrees from vertical.

[0129] As can be seen in FIGS. 23A and 23B, when the corner support isassembled, the shaft 134 is positioned within the channel 815 to allowthe flipper to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 134. In theunlocked position, the flipper 801 is held in the open position by thebumps 820 on the collar being seated in the recesses 840A of the flipper801. To place the corner support structure into the locked position, theflipper 801 is moved downwardly, which forces the flipper to rotatearound the shaft 134, causing the front face 813 of the flipper to beurged against the inner face of the support post by a compression force,caused by the fact that the thickness of the flipper is greater betweenthe inner wedging surface 816 and the front face 813 than between thetop of the channel 815 and the top of the flipper 801. Because of thisdifference, a radial compression force is created when the thickerportion of the flipper is wedged within the space between the shaft 134and the front face of the post, which occurs whenever the flipper ismoved to the locked position, as can be seen in FIGS. 23A and 23B.Further, due to the tapered shape of the inner wedging surface 816, inthe locked position, an inwardly directed wedging force is createdbetween the collar and the portion of the flipper having the taperedface, because of the weight of the shelf assembly. That is, the weightof the shelf assembly tends to push the collar down, causing the shaft134 to press down on the inner wedging surface 816, the downwardlydirected force being translated to an inwardly directed force by thetapered surface of the inner wedging surface 816. Thus, a portion of theflipper structure in this embodiment performs the function performed inother embodiments by the wedge member.

[0130]FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C illustrate a collar 900, a flipper 901 anda support pin 902, respectively, in accordance with a second embodimentof the third aspect. As best seen in FIG. 24A, the collar 900 has acylindrical shaft 134 and bumps 908. The collar also has channels 906that run generally vertically in the lateral sides of the collar but areangled or inclined upwardly inwardly toward the back of the collar. Asbest seen in FIG. 24C, the flipper 901 in accordance with this aspecthas an extended handle 910 for ease of locking and unlocking. Theflipper 901 has a front surface 907 that is curved so as to mate with,in the locked position, the curved inner face of the support post. Theflipper 901 is integrally molded so as to provide a trough 905, in whichwill rest, when the corner support is in the unlocked position in theassembled state, the cylindrical shaft 134. The flipper 901 alsoincludes recesses 904 in ears 903.

[0131] The upper portion of the flipper has a cylindrical cavity 909extending therethrough. A flipper pin 902 is, in the assembled state,installed in the cylindrical cavity. The pin 902 may be made of twoparts 902 a and 902 b and have end caps 913. To assemble the cornersupport in accordance with the present embodiment, the flipper 901 ispositioned such that the cylindrical shaft 134 of the collar 900 restsin the trough 905. Each part of the flipper pin then is inserted throughthe respective channels 906 and secured together with the flipper'scylindrical cavity. The end caps 913 thus rest outside the collartrapping the flipper and collar together. As can be seen most clearly inFIGS. 25A and 25B, in the unlocked position, the cylindrical shaft 134is positioned within the trough 905, and the recesses 904 are held bybumps 908, which tend to keep the flipper in the unlocked position. Uponrotating the flipper downwardly to the locked position, the frontsurface 902 of the flipper comes into contact with the support and theflipper imparts a compression force that secures the front surface tothe support post. The compression force occurs because the thickness ofthe top portion of the flipper is greater between the cylindrical cavityand the front face than between the cylindrical cavity and the top ofthe flipper. Because of this difference, rotation of the flipper intothe locked position forces the thicker portion of the flipper betweenthe shaft and the support post, which creates the compression force. Inaddition, as a shelf secured to the collar 900 is loaded, the collarwill move downwardly relative to the flipper. Therefore, interaction ofthe pin 902 with the upwardly inwardly directed back edges of thechannels 906 will also urge the flipper into tight engagement with thepost.

[0132]FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a collar and flipper in accordancewith a third embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention. Asbest seen in FIG. 26A, the collar 1000 in accordance with thisembodiment includes an inward offset 1002 on each lateral side thereof.As will become more clear, the offset allows for easy assembly of thecollar and flipper to form the corner support assembly. The collar 1000also includes L-shaped channels 1001 along each lateral side. Eachchannel has a shorter horizontally oriented channel portion located atan upper end of the channel, and a longer generally vertically orientedchannel portion. The generally vertically oriented channel portions areangled or inclined upwardly inwardly toward the back of the collar. Asbest seen in FIG. 26B, the flipper 1118 in accordance with the presentaspect is similar to the flipper shown in FIG. 24B except that in FIG.26B the flipper is shown with a pin already installed into a cylindricalcavity not visible in this view. The flipper has end caps 1011 extendingfrom each side of a top portion thereof. The end caps are the ends ofthe installed pin, as discussed above. The flipper also has ears 1015each having tabs 1016 and a trough 1008 extending across an upperportion of the flipper. A front face 1100 is shaped so as to mate withan inner surface of the support post.

[0133] The offset 1002 and the horizontally oriented portions of thechannels 1001 cooperate to enable the collar and flipper to be easilyassembled into the corner support. To assemble the corner support, allthat is required is to drop the flipper's end caps into the collar andpull the flipper forward, allowing the end caps to enter the L-shapedchannels 1001 at the horizontally oriented portions thereof. Because thechannels extend through the offset portion, a wider entry passageway isformed for the end caps in the offset portion. Once the flipper ispulled forward and down, into the generally vertically oriented channelportions, the end caps will ride along the outside of the lateral facesof the collar and the flipper will not break apart from the collarunless the assembly process is reversed.

[0134] In the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 27A, the horizontal shaft134 rests in the trough 1008 and the end pins are captured within thechannels. Upon application of a downward force to the flipper, the frontface of the flipper is rotated so as to be brought into contact with theinner face of the support post. Because the upper portion of the flipperis thicker from back to front, and because the motion of the flipper isconstrained by being trapped in the channels, the rotation of theflipper creates a compression force that secures the corner assemblysecurely to the post, similarly to the previously discussed embodiment.In addition, as a shelf secured to the collar 1000 is loaded, the collarwill move downwardly relative to the flipper. Therefore, interaction ofthe pin with the upwardly inwardly directed back edges of the generallyvertically oriented channel portions will also urge the flipper intotight engagement with the post.

[0135] While the support system of the present invention has beendescribed above in use with substantially triangular-shaped and D-shapedsupport posts, support posts of other shapes can be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated thatthe underlying principles of the invention can be used to provide acollar that is contoured to fit around a support post of many shapes andfitted with a rotatable flipper also contoured to complement the outersurface of a wedge member engaged with the support post, or the taperedface of the support post. For example, in addition to the generallytri-lobal shaped posts shown in the figures, posts for use in the secondand third aspects of the present invention also can be of a generallyround cross-section. When such posts are used in those aspects, the faceof the wedge member, or of the wedging portion, is curved, for example,concavely, to correspond to the curvature of the surface of the post.

[0136] As the foregoing description of the preferred embodimentsdescribes, an advantage of the present invention is that it allows auser to quickly and easily change the height of the supported item,e.g., a shelf, to accommodate a variety of shelving applications.Moreover, since the support system allows the shelf frame to slide overthe wedge member mounted on the support posts, height adjustment is easyand can be done without tools or without having to remove adjacentshelves. The shelf-aligning feature of the invention further easesassembly and/or adjustment of the shelving system. And, since thestructure providing the inclined plane is trapped within the supportassembly, or integrally formed in the support post, there are no loosewedges to contend with.

[0137] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above in detail, it will be understood that this descriptionis merely for purposes of illustration. Various modifications of andequivalent structures corresponding to the disclosed aspects of thepreferred embodiments in addition to those described above may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention which is defined in the following claims, the scope ofwhich is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompasssuch modifications and equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support system, comprising: a support posthaving a tapered face; and support means for adjustably supporting amember to said support post, said support means including a lockingmechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting saidsupport means against the tapered face of said support post and a secondposition for releasing the press-fitting, said locking mechanism havinga surface that abuts said tapered face of said support post when in thefirst position thereby to effect said press-fitting and that is releasedfrom the tapered face of said support post when moved to said secondposition to release said press-fitting.
 2. A support system according toclaim 1, wherein said support means comprises a collar adapted to bestructurally associated with the supported member, and said lockingmechanism is rotatably supported by said collar, with said lockingmechanism and said collar forming a sleeve surrounding said supportpost.
 3. A support system according to claim 2, wherein said collar iscontoured to complement a cross-sectional shape of said support post. 4.A support system according to claim 3, wherein said support post has agenerally triangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex. 5.A support system according to claim 3, wherein said support post has agenerally D-shaped cross-section.
 6. A support system according to claim3, wherein said collar comprises first and second lateral sides and arear section, connecting said first and second lateral sides, having ashape to complement the cross-sectional shape of said support post.
 7. Asupport system according to claim 6, wherein said collar furthercomprises means for securing said locking mechanism.
 8. A support systemaccording to claim 7, wherein said securing means comprises acylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar.
 9. A support system according to claim 8, wherein saidcylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of said first andsecond lateral sides of said collar.
 10. A support system according toclaim 8, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middleportions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar.
 11. Asupport system according to claim 8, further comprising a sleeve, saidsleeve being contoured to fit between said collar and said post.
 12. Asupport system according to claim 1, wherein said support post is formedso as to have plural tapered faces spaced along its length.
 13. Asupport system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism hasa rear face mating with an outer surface of the tapered face of saidsupport post.
 14. A support system according to claim 13, wherein saidouter surface and said rear face are substantially flat to complementeach other.
 15. A support system according to claim 13, wherein saidouter surface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement eachother.
 16. A support system according to claim 1, wherein when saidlocking mechanism is in the second position, the support means can passover the tapered face of said support post.
 17. A support systemaccording to claim 1, with said support means being translatablerelative to said support post, wherein when said support meanstranslates in a first direction said locking mechanism passes over thetapered face of said support post and when said support means translatesin a second direction said locking mechanism seats on the tapered faceof said support post and creates a wedging force.
 18. A support systemaccording to claim 17, further comprising means for actuating saidlocking mechanism toward the second position when said support meansslides in the first direction or second direction to allow said lockingmechanism to pass over the tapered face of said support post.
 19. Asupport system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanismrotates about an axis when said surface abuts the tapered face of saidsupport post.
 20. A support system according to claim 1, wherein saidlocking mechanism rotates about an axis transverse to a longitudinalaxis of said support post when said surface abuts the tapered face ofsaid support post.
 21. A support system according to claim 1, whereinsaid support post is made by the roll-form process.
 22. A support systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said support post is made by thehydro-forming process.
 23. A support system according to claim 1,wherein said support post is made by the pultrusion process.
 24. Asystem for supporting a member, said system comprising: a support posthaving a longitudinal axis and a tapered face; and support means adaptedto be secured to the member, for supporting the member to said supportpost, said support means forming a sleeve around said support post andseated on said support post on the tapered face thereof, wherein saidsupport means including a locking mechanism that is actuatable between afirst position compressing the tapered face and supporting the memberand a second position not compressing the tapered face.
 25. A systemaccording to claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism in the firstposition supports the member by a wedge action with said tapered face.26. A system according to claim 24, wherein said locking mechanism inthe second position releases the compressive force applied to thetapered face of said support post.
 27. A system according to claim 24,wherein said locking mechanism in the second position is slidable overthe tapered face of said support post.
 28. A system according to claim24, wherein said support assembly comprises a collar adapted to bestructurally associated with the member, with said locking mechanismrotatably supported on said collar.
 29. A system according to claim 28,wherein said locking mechanism has a rear face mating with an outersurface of the tapered face.
 30. A system according to claim 29, whereinsaid outer surface and said rear face are substantially flat tocomplement each other.
 31. A system according to claim 29, wherein saidouter surface is convex and said rear face is concave to complement eachother.
 32. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface isangled and said rear face has an angled cavity to complement each other.33. A system according to claim 29, wherein said outer surface has araised vertical section thereof.
 34. A system according to claim 28,wherein said collar includes first and second lateral sides and a rearsection connecting said first and second lateral sides, said rearsection shaped to complement a contour of said support post.
 35. Asystem according to claim 34, wherein said support post has a generallytriangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex.
 36. Asupport system according to claim 34, wherein said support post has agenerally D-shaped cross-section.
 37. A system according to claim 34,wherein said collar further comprises means for securing said lockingmechanism.
 38. A system according to claim 37, wherein said securingmeans comprises a cylindrical shaft secured between said first andsecond lateral sides of said collar.
 39. A system according to claim 38,wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between upper portions of saidfirst and second lateral sides of said collar.
 40. A system according toclaim 38, wherein said cylindrical shaft is secured between middleportions of said first and second lateral sides of said collar.
 41. Asystem according to claims 28, wherein said locking mechanism has a flatlower portion.
 42. A system according to claim 28, wherein said lockingmechanism has a rounded lower portion.
 43. A system according to claim28, wherein said locking mechanism has an elongated lower portionforming a handle.
 44. A system according to claim 24, with said sleevereceiving said support post and translatable relative thereto, whereinwhen said support assembly translates in a first direction said lockingmechanism passes over the tapered face of said support post and whensaid support assembly translates in a second direction said lockingmechanism seats on the tapered face of said support post and creates awedging force.
 45. A system according to claim 24, further comprisingmeans for actuating said locking mechanism toward the second positionwhen said support assembly slides in the first direction and the seconddirection to allow said locking mechanism to pass over the tapered faceof said support post.
 46. A system according to claim 24, wherein saidsupport post includes a plurality of tapered faces extending along alength of said support post.
 47. A system according to claim 24, whereinsaid support post is made by the roll-form process.
 48. A systemaccording to claim 24, wherein said support post is made by thehydro-forming process.
 49. A system according to claim 24, wherein saidsupport post is made by the pultrusion process.
 50. A support system,comprising: a support post; a wedge member, having a tapered portion,located on said support post, said wedge member having a securingportion; and support means for adjustably supporting a supported memberto said support post, said support means including a locking mechanismmovable between a first position for press-fitting said wedge memberagainst said support post and a second position for releasing saidpress-fitting, said locking mechanism having a surface that abuts saidwedge member when in the first position thereby to effect saidpress-fitting and that is released from said wedge member when moved tosaid second position to release said press-fitting, said lockingmechanism cooperating with said securing portion of said wedge member sothat said wedge member and said support means remain engaged with oneanother even when the support means is in the second position.
 51. Asupport system according to claim 50, wherein said support meanscomprises a collar adapted to be structurally associated with thesupported member, and said locking mechanism is rotatably supported bysaid collar, with said locking mechanism and said collar forming asleeve surrounding said support post.
 52. A support system according toclaim 51, wherein said collar is contoured to complement across-sectional shape of said support post.
 53. A support systemaccording to claim 52, wherein said support post has a generallytriangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex.
 54. Asupport system according to claim 52, wherein said support post has agenerally round cross-section.
 55. A support system according to claim52, wherein said collar comprises first and second lateral sides and arear section, connecting said first and second lateral sides, having ashape to complement the cross-sectional shape of said support post. 56.A support system according to claim 55, wherein said collar furthercomprises means for securing said locking mechanism.
 57. A supportsystem according to claim 56, wherein said securing means comprises acylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar.
 58. A support system according to claim 50, wherein saidtapered portion of said wedge member extends along its entire length.59. A support system according to claim 50, wherein said tapered portionof said wedge member extends along part of its length.
 60. A supportsystem according to claim 50, wherein said tapered portion of said wedgemember extends along a lower part of its length.
 61. A support systemaccording to claim 50, wherein said wedge member is engaged with saidsupport post, with said locking mechanism having a rear face mating withan outer surface of said wedge member.
 62. A support system according toclaim 61, wherein said outer surface and said rear face aresubstantially flat to complement each other.
 63. A support systemaccording to claim 61, wherein said outer surface is convex and saidrear face is concave to complement each other.
 64. A support systemaccording to claim 61, wherein said outer surface is angled and saidrear face has an angled cavity to complement each other.
 65. A supportsystem according to claim 50, wherein said locking mechanism rotatesabout an axis when said surface abuts said wedge member.
 66. A supportsystem according to claim 50, wherein said locking mechanism rotatesabout an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of said support postwhen said surface abuts said wedge member.
 67. A support systemaccording to claim 50, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first andsecond lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and secondlateral sides, and channels extending vertically in said first andsecond lateral sides; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge membercomprises studs extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, saidstuds being cooperatively engaged in said channels of said collar so asto trap said wedge member within said support means.
 68. A supportsystem according to claim 50, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: firstand second lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first andsecond lateral sides, a first cylindrical shaft secured between saidfirst and second lateral sides of said collar, said first cylindricalshaft securing said locking mechanism to said collar, and a secondcylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar at a point higher than said first cylindrical shaft; and (b)said securing portion of said wedge member comprises an overhangingupper portion of said wedge member, said overhanging upper portion ofsaid wedge member being cooperatively engaged with said secondcylindrical shaft so as to trap said wedge member within said supportmeans.
 69. A support system according to claim 68, said wedge memberfurther comprising guide slots and said locking mechanism furthercomprising raised guide portions at an upper portion thereof, whereinsaid guide portions rotatably engage said guide slots when said lockingmechanism moves from the second position to the first position.
 70. Asupport system according to claim 68, said wedge member furthercomprising a spring molded into a rear face of said wedge member, thespring being compressed by said locking mechanism when said lockingmechanism moves from the second position to the first position.
 71. Asupport system according to claim 68, wherein said overhanging upperportion of said wedge member has an inwardly projecting detent tosecurely engage said overhanging upper portion with said secondcylindrical shaft.
 72. A support system according to claim 50, wherein:(a) said collar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rearsection connecting said first and second lateral sides; and (b) saidsecuring portion of said wedge member comprises studs extending fromlateral sides of said wedge member, said studs being located at upperand lower portions of each of the lateral sides of said wedge member,said wedge member and said collar being cooperatively engaged such thatthe studs remain above and below the lateral sides of said collar totrap said wedge member within said support means.
 73. A support systemaccording to claim 50, wherein: (a) said collar comprises: first andsecond lateral sides and a rear section connecting said first and secondlateral sides, and channels extending vertically in said first andsecond lateral sides; (b) said securing portion of said wedge membercomprises leaf springs extending from lateral sides of said wedgemember, and a camming structure formed on an outer surface of said wedgemember, said camming structure including first and second cammingchannels running parallel to one another and on opposite sides of saidcamming structure, each of said first and second camming channels beingwider at an upper part of the camming structure and narrower at a lowerpart of said camming structure; and (c) said locking mechanism comprisesan upper portion having fingers formed thereon, said fingers facing oneanother with a gap therebetween, said wedge member, said collar and saidlocking mechanism being cooperatively engaged with one another such thatsaid leaf springs remain within said channels of said collar to trapsaid wedge member within said support means and said fingers arepositioned so as to move reciprocatingly within said first and secondcamming channels, wherein when said locking mechanism is in said secondposition, said fingers are located within the lower part of said firstand second camming channels imparting a force tending to pry said wedgemember away from said support post and placing said leaf springs intension and, when said locking mechanism is moved to said firstposition, said fingers move to the upper part of the first and secondcamming channels, to apply a compression force to said wedge member toeffect said press fitting and to release the tension in said leafsprings.
 74. A support system according to claim 50, wherein: (a) saidcollar comprises: first and second lateral sides and a rear sectionconnecting said first and second lateral sides, and embossed channelsextending vertically in said first and second lateral sides, saidembossed channels being concave with respect to an interior of saidcollar; and (b) said securing portion of said wedge member comprisesspring members extending from lateral sides of said wedge member, saidwedge member, said collar and said locking mechanism being cooperativelyengaged with one another such that end portions of said spring membersrest within said channels of said collar to trap said wedge memberwithin said support means and to bias the tapered face of said wedgemember away from said support post when said locking mechanism is insaid second position, and when said locking mechanism is moved to saidfirst position, said locking mechanism places said spring members undertension by applying a compression force to said wedge member to effectsaid press fitting of said wedge member against said support post.
 75. Asupport system according to claim 74, said wedge member furthercomprising guide slots, and said locking mechanism further comprisingraised guide portions at an upper portion thereof, wherein said guideportions rotatably engage said guide slots when said locking mechanismmoves from the second position to the first position.
 76. A supportsystem, comprising: a support post; and support means for adjustablysupporting a member to said support post, said support means including alocking mechanism, which includes an integrally formed wedging member,said locking mechanism being movable between a first position forpress-fitting said wedging member against said support post and a secondposition for releasing the press-fitting, said wedging member having asurface that abuts said support post when in the first position therebyto effect said press-fitting and that is released from said support postwhen moved to said second position to release said press-fitting.
 77. Asupport system according to claim 76, wherein said support meanscomprises a collar adapted to be structurally associated with thesupported member, and said locking mechanism is rotatably supported bysaid collar, with said locking mechanism and said collar forming asleeve surrounding said support post.
 78. A support system according toclaim 77, wherein said collar is contoured to complement across-sectional shape of said support post.
 79. A support systemaccording to claim 78, wherein said support post has a generallytriangular cross-section with a rounded right angular apex.
 80. Asupport system according to claim 78, wherein said support post has agenerally round cross-section.
 81. A support system according to claim78, wherein said collar comprises first and second lateral sides and arear section, connecting said first and second lateral sides, having ashape to complement the cross-sectional shape of said support post. 82.A support system according to claim 81, wherein said collar furthercomprises means for securing said locking mechanism.
 83. A supportsystem according to claim 82, wherein said securing means comprises acylindrical shaft secured between said first and second lateral sides ofsaid collar.
 84. A support system according to claim 76, wherein saidwedging member of said locking mechanism has a rear face mating with anouter surface of said support post.
 85. A support system according toclaim 84, wherein said outer surface and said rear face aresubstantially flat to complement each other.
 86. A support systemaccording to claim 84, wherein said outer surface is convex and saidrear face is concave to complement each other.
 87. A support systemaccording to claim 76, wherein said locking mechanism has a flat lowerportion.
 88. A support system according to claim 76, wherein saidlocking mechanism has a rounded lower portion.
 89. A support systemaccording to claim 76, wherein said locking mechanism9 has an elongatedlower portion forming a handle.
 90. A support system according to claim76, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axis when saidwedging member abuts said support post.
 91. A support system accordingto claim 76, wherein said locking mechanism rotates about an axistransverse to a longitudinal axis of said support post when said wedgingmember abuts said support post.
 92. A support system according to claim82, wherein said locking mechanism has an upper portion comprising saidwedging member, said wedging member comprising an inner wedging surface,a front face for mating with said support post, and an overhang lip,said overhanging lip and said inner wedging surface defining a channel,said inner wedging surface being tapered with respect to vertical, saidsecuring means of said collar being cooperatively engaged with saidchannel of said locking mechanism such that in the first position, saidsecuring means contacts said inner wedging surface to produce a wedgingforce between said locking mechanism and said support post.
 93. Asupport system according to claim 82, wherein said collar furthercomprises generally vertically oriented channels formed in said firstand second lateral sides of said collar, and said locking mechanismcomprises an upper portion comprising said wedging member, said wedgingmember comprising a front face adapted to contact said support post anda rear portion having a cylindrical channel formed therein, said supportsystem further comprising a support pin having two end caps, saidsupport pin being secured within said cylindrical channel with said endcaps protruding from ends of said cylindrical channel, said wedgingmember of said locking mechanism, said end caps of said support pin andsaid collar channels being cooperatively engaged with one another toallow reciprocating motion of said locking mechanism in the verticaldirection such that when said locking mechanism is in the firstposition, said front face of said wedging member contacts said supportpost to apply a wedging force to effect the press fit.
 94. A supportsystem according to claim 93, wherein said generally vertically orientedchannels are inclined upwardly rearwardly toward a back of said collarsuch that when the member to be supported is loaded, said collar willmove downwardly relative to said locking mechanism to urge said lockingmechanism into tight engagement with said support post.
 95. A supportsystem according to claim 82, wherein said collar further comprisessubstantially L-shaped channels in each lateral side of said collar,said substantially L-shaped channels having a longer generallyvertically oriented portion and a shorter horizontally oriented portion,and said locking mechanism has an upper portion comprising said wedgingmember, said wedging member comprising a front face adapted to contactsaid support post and a rear portion comprising a cylindrical channel,said support system further comprising a support pin having two endcaps, said support pin being secured within said cylindrical channelwith said end caps protruding from ends of said cylindrical channel,said wedging member of said locking mechanism, said end caps of saidsupport pin and said L-shaped channels being brought into cooperativeengagement with one another by insertion of said end caps into saidhorizontally oriented portion of said L-shaped channels followed byinsertion of said end caps into said vertically oriented portion of saidL-shaped channels to allow reciprocating motion of said lockingmechanism in the vertical direction such that when said lockingmechanism is in the first position, said front face of said wedgingmember contacts said support post to apply a wedging force to effect thepress fit.
 96. A support system according to claim 95, wherein saidgenerally vertically oriented portions of said L-shaped channels areinclined upwardly rearwardly toward a back of said collar such that whenthe member to be supported is loaded, said collar will move downwardlyrelative to said locking mechanism to urge said locking mechanism intotight engagement with said support post.